Video taken during Miss Universe 2018

Hello everyone! A couple of weeks ago, Miss Philippines Catriona Gray made us all proud by representing our country and bagging the Miss Universe 2018 title. She dazzled us with her beauty, even more so with her performance from the iconic lava walk down to her heartfelt answer during the final Q&A.

2016 FAVORITES: Skin Care

Hey guys! I'm happily ending the year by featuring my favorite skin care products of 2016. Since I've been following the Korean 10-step skincare routine for about a month now, I might as well let you in on the products I've been using to stick to this regimen. Needless to mention that items included in each category are the best ones I've tried so far. Let's get it on shall we?

KIEHL'S: Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream

Hey guys! The summer heat has gotten really intense that even the thought of staying outdoors can be exhausting. What's a girl to do to stay fresh all the time? Well, keeping yourself sufficiently hydrated is a no-brainer but it's definitely on top of my list. Pump up hydration a little by also using skin care products that can help keep you fresh and cool. I prefer using a gel moisturizer during hot days and my current favorite is Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream.

What's in My Makeup Bag

Hey guys! I guess most of you will agree with me when I say that it's really interesting to know what other ladies keep in their makeup bags. I think these types of hauls are very honest and truly reliable.  Besides, no one would even bother keeping a product in their stash if it doesn't do wonders right? Come to think of it, I've had this blog running for almost four years now but I can't seem to remember ever doing a what's-in-my-makeup-bag post. Well, it's never too late to do one so read on and find out what I love bringing with me all day, everyday. 

TRAVEL: Skin Care Essentials

Hey guys! You know what else I love about staycations? Well, aside from being away from stress, I enjoy the opportunity of having to use mini products I've accumulated over time. Okay, I have to admit I'm that weird but seriously I get really excited about (finally) having the excuse of putting these small wonders to use. Read on to find out what these products are.

KIEHL'S: Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Hey guys! I hope you miss reading my posts as much as I miss doing reviews at my usual pace. I recently started a new chapter of my life and got so hooked that my blogging days were put aside temporarily. Anyway, this post is all about a skin care regimen I started sometime November of last year. I've been reading great reviews about Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate that I decided to save up for it. Good thing Kiehl's Holiday Collection went out a bit early so I had the chance to grab one that included both the serum and under eye concentrate. 

The Midnight Recovery Concentrate is housed in a 30 ml glass bottle with a screw-on cap which also  doubles as a dropper for dispensing the product.

The dropper looks really fancy being made of clear glass making it easier to see right through and know how much product you're dispensing. 

This is a clear serum that has the consistency of oil but thinner. It has a distinct herbal and subtle menthol scent that's quite soothing yet doesn't linger. The label says to use 2 to 3 drops to cover your face so I apply a drop each on my forehead, cheeks and chin. It may appear and feel a bit greasy on application but it gets easily absorbed by the skin leaving it supple to touch. I love waking up to a healthy-looking skin the next day. I also noticed how this night ritual kept my skin looking refreshed and hydrated. It has totally improved the overall condition of my skin in 2 weeks of continued use.

The Midnight Recovery Eye comes in this 15 ml tube. 

It has a tapered nozzle that works so well in dispensing just the right amount of product.

This eye concentrate is opaque white in color and shares the same scent as the serum. It applies smoothly on your skin and gets absorbed after a while. It's lightweight and gentle on your under eye area that you won't feel a sting. The Kiehl's sales rep suggested to put just a tiny bit (half a grain of rice) on each area so this tube will definitely last. I love having to wake up with less puffiness. Though I haven't seen significant results with regards to reduction of fine wrinkles, I love that it somehow made my under eyes look lighter after a month's use.

Overall, I love both products that I intend to make them part of my night ritual. I recommend it to everyone who wants to improve their current skin condition especially those who want to delay signs of aging like dryness. You may get these wonder products from all Kiehl's branches nationwide. 

Any thoughts on these products? Do share them on the comments section below. Thank you for visiting and have a great week ahead!

KIEHL'S: Holiday Collection by Craig and Karl

If you follow Kiehl's on social media or have been to one of their branches lately, this wouldn't be your first time to see how gorgeous their Holiday Collections look. What's impressive about them is you're given the freedom to personalize your set by substituting products you don't like with the ones you prefer. You may also assemble all the products you want and they will wrap them up for you. 

Being a sucker for beautiful packaging (and excellent skin care products), it didn't take long for me to visit their Trinoma branch and get my own set. 

The sight of these awesome products with their holiday vibe still makes my heart flutter and feel a bit guilty for splurging. Come to think of it, I only splurge on skin care products when I get more out of my entire purchase. This usually happens once (or maybe twice) a year mostly during the Christmas season.

The festive colors were created exclusively for Kiehl's by international artists Craig Redman and Karl Maier for this Holiday season only. 

This has got to be the best box I've opened this year. I love how my goodies were beautifully wrapped with a bow. 

Above is my personalized Holiday collection set. Some are original contents like the Midnight Recovery Serum and Midnight Recovery Eye. The rest are personal choices based on recommendations by Henry, the friendly Kiehl's Customer Representative who patiently assisted me. 

Now let's kick off with the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser. This product isn't new to me, I've tried it once before in a sample sachet included in a previous purchase and I remember really liking it but I never got around to purchasing the full size. I decided to reunite with this product because I felt the need for an oil-free cleanser especially after noticing a few pimples showing on my cheeks and chin in the past days.

The Midnight Recovery Concentrate has been on my wish list since forever but the hefty tag has kept me from purchasing. Good thing I got to try a sample size otherwise I wouldn't have known how amazing this product is. 

Another product from the same line is the Midnight Recovery Eye. I figured this could be as good as the concentrate so I decided to keep it in the set. 

The Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion wasn't originally included in the set. Since I have more than enough bottles of body wash in my stash, I requested a toner instead and I was luckily given two. 

Another one of my requested items is the Ultra Facial Cream Intense Hydration. I can't remember which product I exchanged it for but I'm pretty much happy with the combination I ended up with in this Holiday Collection set. 

So here's a glimpse of the amazing products included in my box. 

I took advantage of the Holiday vibe and added a little more to my shopping bag. I was thinking, since I already took the plunge why not do it in a big splash right? 

I got a full size of the the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser which I'm guessing will last a long time! 

Next item is the Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment. I also had the chance to try this product a long time ago but I haven't bought the full size because I only get a zit or two every once in while. I finally decided to buy one because I couldn't afford to have break outs especially when I'm getting closer to a very special event. 

Lastly, I got the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream. This was strongly recommended by Henry and since I love to moisturize my skin, I caved in and got one.

What's also good about my entire purchase was the blue vanity pouch that came free with it. 

Now here's something to brighten up your day. Kiehl's gave me four post cards that entitle the bearers to experience a customized skin care consultation with a Kiehl's Customer Representative at any branch. Complimentary samples of the products that suit your skin best will also be given for free. If you're up for it, then leave a message below and I'll send you a post card. Just make sure to follow my blog for you to qualify. First four to comment below and ask for a post card will get one each.

Overall, I'm so happy with the skin care line that Kiehl's personally assembled for me and if you're contemplating on trying Kiehl's for the first time, I highly suggest you consult with one of their Customer Representatives so you'll be guided properly. 

That's all lovelies! If you have questions in mind just leave them on the comments section below and I'll try to answer as soon as I can. Thank you and have an awesome week!

♥♥♥

KIEHL'S: Micro-Blur Skin Perfector

Hey guys! I recently read about a product from Ms. Shen's blog, Blur Creams, dubbed as the next big thing in skin care after the advent of BB, CC and DD Creams. Yes, there's a DD Cream ladies and gentlemen but I haven't seen or tried one yet. 

Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector became available in the Philippines and other Asian countries starting May. I just saw this on display at Kiehl's Trinoma a few days back and the sales assistant, Ms. Cat, was kind enough to try it on me. I didn't have to cleanse my face because this is intended for use as a last step to your skin care routine so you can use it on top of your moisturizer or in my case, BB cream. After seeing how it looked on me, there was no turning back so I bought one.

This product claims to instantly reduce the appearance of pores upon application and also promises to significantly diminish them after 4 weeks of continued use. 

 Although dimethicone, a form of silicone, appears to be a major ingredient, Kiehl's still stands by their product as noncomedogenic. It's also non-greasy and paraben free. 

The tube contains 30 ml of the product which I think is a bit expensive for its price (Php 1,895). I like that it has a flip cover which makes dispensing easy and mess-free. 

The product is opaque flesh in color, has a creamy and frothy texture which reminds me so much of cupcake frosting. It has a distinct yet subtle powdery scent that doesn't linger. Application is pretty easy using a patting motion and concentrating on your T-zone then spreading it outwards. It takes more than a pea size to cover your face which makes this product all the more expensive. I do agree that it instantly diminishes the apperance of pores but not dramatically on the first few days of use. I've only been using this for 3 days now which is why I'm still hopeful and excited to see its long-term effects. I love the matte finish because it looks absolutely gorgeous on top of any moisturizer. Having dry skin won't be a problem since the Micro-Blur also locks in moisture keeping your skin hydrated but non-greasy. 

Overall, I do agree that the Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector is the next big thing in skin care. Despite the price, I am highly considering to repurchase it once consumed. I do recommend it to those of you who want to try something new and promising. If you happen to pass by Kiehl's Trinoma, have the sales rep try it on you so you can see for yourself. I have to thank Ms. Cat for patiently assisting me and giving me samples of other products that I plan to bring with me to El Nido next week! Expect a review on those very soon. Also to Mr. Henry and Ms. Crystal for their warm welcome during my last visit. 

So have you tried this product? Tell us what you think on the comments section below. Thank you for reading and have a great weekend!

♥♥♥

KIEHL'S

Hi everyone! I hope you're all work and stress free for the holy week. I've been spending a lot of time with family and close friends in the past days but I couldn't resist to leave an entry that I've been itching to share since last week.

After availing of the free samples from Kiehl's Trinoma using a Belle De Jour voucher, I am now making this review to walk you through my experience with this well liked and highly acclaimed brand.

This Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser came in a 3 ml sachet. I thought this wouldn't last me a week but it miraculously did. True to its claim, this cleanser does lather up quickly and you'd be surprised at how a teeny weeny amount can cover your entire face. It's scent free and has the texture of a thick foam. It feels so smooth and silky when massaged on your face. What I'm not so crazy about this cleanser is it tends to make your skin feel squeaky clean after washing as if you've been stripped of your skin's natural moisture. Though your skin doesn't come off looking dry, this may not be the best product for you if you have dry skin. Overall, this is a good cleanser but not as great to splurge on so I won't be getting the full size.

My sample of Kiehl's Acne Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment came in this 5 ml sachet. This one lasted for only 5 days since I was using it twice daily and you really need to put a pea size each on your forehead, cheeks and chin to cover your entire face. This acne treatment is opaque white with the texture of a runny lotion. This product truly delivers when it comes to clearing active acne blemishes as it effectively dried out 2 tiny cystic pimples on my forehead in just a single application. What I don't like about this is it reeks of chemical scent upon application that lingers for more than a few minutes so if you're sensitive about how a product smells then you won't be very happy with this. Just a heads up, this can be really drying on your face so never forget to put on moisturizer after every use.

I'm not quite impressed with its ability to reduce post-acne marks within less than a week's use but I think I really need to continue using it before making any final judgements. This is why I will be purchasing the full size soon to help clear my blemishes and finally put an end to my post acne marks that seems to be taking forever to disappear. The only downside to this is the price (around Php 1,800+, Sorry I can't remember exactly how much) but for a product that shows a lot of promise in treating acne blemishes, this is really worth the expensive tag.

Lastly, my sample of Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream is in this 3 ml sachet which sadly lasted for only 4 days since I also use this twice daily after applying the acne treatment. You also need a pea size each on your forehead, cheeks and chin for assured coverage. It's translucent white and has the texture comparable to a serum. It's virtually scent free and leaves your face well hydrated without feeling greasy or looking shiny. This would've been perfect with spf which for me is quite okay since I always use BB Cream with spf on top of any moisturizer. I love that this product made my skin feel well hydrated and supple the next morning. Although I am impressed with this moisturizer, I may not be purchasing it anytime soon since I still have a ton of moisturizers in my stash but I might give this a go the next time I need to purchase one. I do recommend this to those who are willing to splurge on a quality moisturizer.

In summary, I think the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser is okay-ish but I don't recommend it to those with dry skin. I love the Acne Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment as well as the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream but I'm only getting the former in full size and I'll think about getting the latter once I run out of moisturizers in my stash.

How about you? Have you tried any product from Kiehl's? How are you liking them so far? If you haven't and you have a Belle De Jour power planner, you may get free samples from Kiehl's by using one of the vouchers. Remember, you don't need to purchase anything to get the free samples. So head on now to your nearest Kiehl's boutique to experience skin care the Kiehl's way.

♥ ♥ ♥

UPDATES:

• The people behind Kiehl's Facebook page were kind enough to provide me with the following information:

• I can't wait to buy the full size! I hope I'll finally have a holy grail when it comes to pimple treatment.
• I did a little make over on my product storage over the long weekend which I will be sharing very soon.